Man tied to Laredo corruption probe died by suicide in rural Texas county days after indictment

Louis H. Jones Jr., principal/director for Dannenbaum Engineering's South Texas Region, addresses the Laredo Association of Realtors at the Laredo Country Club in 2015. Jones reportedly died by suicide on Monday.

Louis H. Jones Jr., principal/director for Dannenbaum Engineering's South Texas Region, addresses the Laredo Association of Realtors at the Laredo Country Club in 2015. Jones reportedly died by suicide on

Louis H. Jones Jr., principal/director for Dannenbaum Engineering's South Texas Region, addresses the Laredo Association of Realtors at the Laredo Country Club in 2015. Jones reportedly died by suicide on Monday.

Louis H. Jones Jr., principal/director for Dannenbaum Engineering's South Texas Region, addresses the Laredo Association of Realtors at the Laredo Country Club in 2015. Jones reportedly died by suicide on

This was four days after two local officials were indicted and pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges, apparently in association with Dannenbaum, although the company was not named outright in the indictment.

Jones is not explicitly named either, but court records refer to a "Co-Conspirator A" as having given one of the officials, former Webb County Commissioner Jaime Canales, a $5,000 check in October 2015. The only $5,000 donation Canales received in this time was from Jones.

This co-conspirator gave Canales money in exchange for the commissioner's official action benefiting him and the civil engineering company, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Where Jones died was never reported, and requests for his autopsy records across the state could not be completed. This is because an autopsy was never performed.

Jones died on southbound Highway 163 in Crockett County from a gunshot wound to the head; he was found in the driver's seat of his black Tahoe.

In her inquest report, Justice of the Peace Evelyn C. Kerbow ruled the cause of death a suicide. She pronounced Jones dead upon her arrival at the scene at 6:54 p.m., Oct. 22, 2018.

In Texas, a justice of the peace may use their discretion to order an autopsy if the cause of death cannot be confirmed.

"The reason that there was no autopsy done is because the cause of death was apparent. The deceased had also called his brother and told him that he was going to commit suicide if things didn't get worked out soon over some land or a lease," a clerk for Kerbow's office wrote in an email.

Jones' brother then called the Crockett County Sheriff's Office and reported that Jones was going to commit suicide, according to the county official.

His car was found about 10 miles south of Ozona, Texas on Highway 163.

"There is a historical marker with very tall, shaded trees, and Mr. Jones had pulled over and shot himself there," the clerk wrote.

The Crockett County Sheriff's Office has not yet turned over the incident report from this event.

"Louis was admired by all who know him," said Dannenbaum engineer Richard D. Seitz after the news of his death. "A wonderful man who will be sorely missed by his family and his many, many friends. We are heartbroken."